Buy with fewer surprises
Buying a home in New Hampshire
Buying in New Hampshire follows the familiar steps—preapproval, offer, inspections, financing and closing—but many homes here have private wells, septic systems, older heating or private roads, and those are what to check most carefully.
Bean Group editorial team · Published · Updated · About 4 min read
What are the steps in a New Hampshire purchase?
Preapproval, an offer on a purchase and sale agreement, a deposit held in escrow, an inspection period, appraisal and financing, title work, and a closing at which the deed is recorded at the county registry of deeds.
What differs is less the paperwork than the property. Much of New Hampshire’s housing is older, rural or originally seasonal, on private water and septic, and sometimes on a private road. Those facts shape what you check. When you are ready, search New Hampshire homes.
What should I check before I buy?
- Water: if the home has a private well, test water quality and yield. Arsenic and radon in well water occur in parts of the state; NH DES explains what to test for.
- Septic: locate the system, review the approved design and state approvals on file, and have it evaluated by a qualified professional.
- Waterfront septic: if any part of the septic system is within 250 feet of the reference line of a protected waterbody, state law requires a licensed septic evaluation before transfer. See our waterfront and seasonal homes guide.
- Radon in air: radon-in-air testing is common in New Hampshire home purchases.
- Heating: identify the fuel, the system’s age, any buried or basement oil tank, and what a full season costs. See heating a New Hampshire home.
- Roof, insulation and ice dams: ask how the house handles a heavy-snow winter.
- Road: confirm in writing whether the road is town-maintained or private, and who plows and repairs it.
- Wetlands, shoreland and setbacks: important if you plan to build, expand or add a structure.
- Insurance: get a quote on the actual property during your inspection period. See home insurance questions to ask.
What closing costs should I budget for?
Budget for the deposit, inspections and testing, appraisal, lender costs, title insurance and recording, prorated property taxes, and the New Hampshire Real Estate Transfer Tax. The transfer tax is generally $0.75 per $100 of the price, charged to the buyer and to the seller separately, with a $20 minimum for each. Confirm exemptions and your own figures with the Department of Revenue Administration.
Who handles a New Hampshire closing?
It depends on the transaction. Title insurance in New Hampshire is issued through licensed title agents, some of whom are attorneys and some of whom are not. Ask your lender or closing provider early who will conduct the closing and whom they represent, and hire your own attorney if you want legal advice on the contract, deed or title.
This is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice.
How can I make a strong offer without giving up protections?
In busy markets, buyers are sometimes urged to waive contingencies. There is a big difference between shortening an inspection period and skipping inspection altogether—especially on a home with a well and septic system. A local agent can help you compete on terms that protect you on the things that are expensive to discover later. Talk with a Bean Group agent.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the real estate transfer tax in New Hampshire?
It is generally $0.75 per $100 of the price, charged separately to the buyer and the seller, with a $20 minimum for each. Confirm exemptions and your figures with the NH Department of Revenue Administration.
Do I need an attorney to buy a home in New Hampshire?
Closings may be handled by attorney or non-attorney title agents, depending on the transaction. Ask your lender or closing provider who will conduct the closing, and hire your own attorney if you want legal advice.
Should I test the well water?
Yes. If the home has a private well, test water quality and yield before you buy. Arsenic and radon in well water occur in parts of New Hampshire, and NH DES publishes guidance on what to test for.
Is a radon test common in New Hampshire?
Yes. Radon-in-air testing is common in New Hampshire home purchases, and homes on private wells may also need radon-in-water testing.
These guides are general information from Bean Group, brokered by eXp Realty. They are not legal, tax, financial, insurance or inspection advice. Rules, rates and deadlines change—check current details with the relevant New Hampshire agency or a licensed professional before you act.